I know that this topic has been covered before, but I still remain confussed so please enlighten me. I am interested in pursuing postgradestudy in France (PhD equivalent) in an area like quantitative/mathematical finance or in the emerging discipline of 'complex systems' (I think they are related fields), however i dont quite understand the degree system that operates in France. Do ppl usually do a DEA, after which they begin their doctoral thesis? Is a DEA like a masters or MPhill in the UK/USA? What degree comes after a DEA? Also how long does it usually take to finish the DEA and thesis? More importantly what preparation do French Students have before they start on a DEA/thesis, is it the equivalent to a Masters degree in the UK/USA? I also would like to know about job placement for French postgrad students, how are they (and French universities in general) viewed around the contient, UK and USA? Finally would anyone know of any good universities in France for the above mentioned research fields, Paris 6/7 comes to mind? I know I have probably asked to many questions, but any answers will be greatly appreciated.

DEA is the 5th year of University.PhD comes after DEA and should take 3 years.It is difficult to compare DEA with Master as it is the 5th year and the first in which you really specialised (Master is the 4th year and the first in which you really specialised).I guess some DEA students don't come from University background but from Ecoled background too...

concerning the DEA of Paris 6, most students come from Grande Ecole background. According tomy own experience (got an UK MSc, currently attending the DEA lectures..) the level of that DEA is much higher than most UK MSc level. nst, the French Education is quite complex compared to UK or the USA, but in the scientific field, it can be coarsely be divided in 2 branches: university on the one side, and Grande Ecole on the other. In a Grandes Ecole, studies are more oriented into applied sciences, last 5 years and the recruitement is often far more selective. As a result the students have then better job opportunities. However for research studies (DEA and PhD), University is well considered. That's why students from grandes ecole willing to do some research attend the DEA course, a 1-year preparation before starting a PhD.

Thanks for the replies. So a DEA is more like a MPhil?

Hi,I am a French student from a Grande Ecole (specialized in Statistics, Economics and Finance). I also hold a DEA degree (from Paris 7) in Statistics and Mathematics Applied to Finance. I am currently studying Mathematics of Finance at Columbia University in a Master's degree. I think that a DEA degree (in Mathematics of Finance) is equivalent to the first two years of a PhD.

Hotone, may i ask if you hold a DEA in Statistics and Mathematics Applied to Finance, why are u studying for the master's degree at Columbia?

That's another problem... in fact I just want to get a diploma which is recognised all over the world and in the US. I would like to work either in the US or in London. I think that French diploma aren't enough recognised even if they provide high level courses and that is a pity! My master degree may help me to open the doors of the US financial jobs market...